Target, Toys “R” Us list top toys of 2017

STEM-centric and interactive products are topping holiday toy lists at the US retailers, along with offerings that encourage kids to get active.

Target and Toys “R” Us are looking ahead to the holiday season. The retailers have released their top toy lists for 2017, with a focus on tech—including STEM-centric and interactive products—as well as toys that keep kids up and active. Top picks include WowWee’s Fingerlings, the Furreal Roarin’ tiger toys (Hasbro) and the Soggy Dog board game (Spin Master), which have made appearances on multiple hot holiday toy lists.

Toys “R” Us unwrapped its 2017 Holiday Hot Toy List with the 50 hottest toys for the year. This year’s edition includes Geoffrey’s Top 20 toys, which represents the best of the best in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Holiday Hot Toy list.

Rounding out the Toys “R” Us Hot Toy list are products that encourage active play, including the Cra-Z-Art SoundMoovs Musical Bandz, the NERF Rival Nemesis MXVII-10K Blaster and the Nickelodeon Deluxe Slimy Creations! Slime Making Kit.

The retailer’s list includes a number of items that are available exclusively in Toys “R” Us stores, including the Baby So Sweet 16-inch Nursery Doll, the Oonies Mega Starter Pack from Moose Toys, the Power Rangers Ninja Steel Lion Fire Fortress Zord from Bandai and the Glimmies Glimtern from Just Play.

Target’s 2017 Top Toys list also includes a number of tech toys, including the Star Wars Force Link BB-8 Mega Playset, The Nintendo Switch, the Meccano Erector M.A.X. Robotic Interactive Toy with Artificial Intelligence and Moonlite, a bedtime story projector for mobile phones.

Interactive play was a big hit with Target, which featured a number of the same products as Toys “R” Us, including Hatchimals Surprise. Additional interactive products that made Target’s list include the Playskool Friends Sesame Street Tickle Me Elmo, Little Live Pets Smooch My Dream Kitten, and the Laugh & Learn First Words Smart Puppy from Fisher-Price.

On the low-tech side, Target’s list also features a number of toys designed to get kids up and active. Target named the BONK Board Game, the NERF Rival Phantom Corps Hera MXVII-1200 and the Jetson Jupiter Light-Up Kick Scooter as some of the top toys for encouraging physical activity.

Amazon and Walmart both recently revealed their top toy lists for the holiday season, which highlighted the hottest products in STEM, collectibles and summer blockbuster licenses.